Yakudoshi
In its own language: 厄年
from Japanese yaku (misfortune or duty) and doshi (year)
Traditional Japanese ages believed to bring bad luck and the rituals used to ward them off
Yakudoshi are specific ages in Japan considered unlucky. People perform prayers, buy charms, and attend festivals to protect themselves from misfortune during these years.
- Unlucky ages include 19, 25, 33, 37, 42, and 61
- Men and women have different sets of unlucky ages
- Red underwear is worn by men in their forty-second year
- Puns on number pronunciations explain some unlucky ages
- Haraegushi wands are used in shrine purification rituals
What it is
Yakudoshi refers to ages in Japan traditionally viewed as calamitous. These years are believed to invite misfortune, illness, or danger. The practice is a folk belief shared across various social groups, from rural communities to urban professionals. It involves recognizing specific life stages as vulnerable periods requiring spiritual protection.
Where it comes from
The concept likely stems from the Chinese astrological system of Onmyōdō. Some scholars link it to the sixty-year cycle of the lunar-solar calendar, where age sixty-one mirrors the birth year. Indigenous Japanese beliefs about ritual purification and age affinity also play a role. Historical texts from the Heian and Kamakura periods list different unlucky ages, showing variation over time. Buddhist teachings also identify certain numbers as inauspicious.
How it is done
Individuals may pray to Shinto or Buddhist deities for protection. They often purchase protective charms to carry or display at home. In some regions, people abandon personal items like combs at crossroads to send away danger. Men might wear red underwear during their forty-second year. Pilgrimages and special festivities are common ways to seek safety.
Tools and materials
Protective charms are central to the practice. A haraegushi, a ritual wand with paper streamers, is waved by priests during purification ceremonies. Red is a significant color, worn to ward off evil spirits. Personal items such as writing brushes or combs are sometimes left behind to transfer the burden of bad luck away from the individual.
Yakudoshi, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Shinto and Onmyōdō traditions
- Timing
- at ages 19, 25, 33, 37, 42, and 61
What it is for
The primary intent is protection against misfortune. People seek to avoid accidents, health issues, and general bad luck associated with these ages. The rituals aim to purify the individual and restore balance. Some view these years as times for taking on active duties within the community, reflecting an older meaning of responsibility rather than just fear.
Who does it
Ordinary households participate in these practices. Individuals visit shrines or temples to undergo rituals. Priests conduct ceremonies, such as yakubarai, to cleanse participants. While historically linked to specific gender roles, modern participation is widespread among men and women who wish to ensure safety during these vulnerable years.
Peoples and places
The belief is prevalent in Japan. Regional variations exist in the specific ages deemed unlucky. For example, some communities consider age sixty-one lucky due to its association with retirement. Urban Japanese often maintain the superstition despite skepticism. Different historical sources provide conflicting lists of unlucky ages, indicating diverse local interpretations across centuries.
At a glance: who, where and when
Who does it
Peoples
Belief worlds
Occasions
What people believe
The worldview combines Shinto purification concepts with elements of Onmyōdō astrology. Numerical puns are often cited as reasons for specific ages being unlucky. For instance, thirty-three sounds like 'troublesome,' and forty-two sounds like 'to death.' Some scholars argue these puns influenced the tradition, while others see them as later explanations. The belief holds that spiritual forces can be appeased through ritual action.
When it is done
Rituals often occur at the beginning or end of the year. Specific festivals take place on January 18 and 19 at Hachiman shrines in the Kansai region. These events allow those entering a maeyaku or yakudoshi year to receive purification. The timing aligns with New Year celebrations, marking a fresh start after the dangerous period.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Anthropologists note that even skeptics may participate due to social pressure. David C. Lewis observed that inner doubt often remains alongside outward compliance. Edward Norbeck dismissed numerical puns as folk etymology, arguing literacy was too low for them to originate the practice. Later research suggested simple number characters could have been widely known earlier.
Cautions and what is closed
The practice is a cultural tradition rather than a medical treatment. Skepticism exists among educated urban populations. The belief persists largely as a social custom or psychological comfort rather than a literal guarantee of safety. No legal restrictions or dangers are mentioned.
Questions people ask about Yakudoshi
What are Yakudoshi?
Yakudoshi are specific ages in Japan believed to be unlucky. These years are thought to bring bad luck, so people perform rituals to protect themselves.
Which ages are considered unlucky?
Common unlucky ages are 19, 33, and 37 for women, and 25, 42, and 61 for men. Other ages appear in historical texts, but these are most frequent today.
How do people protect themselves?
People pray at shrines, buy charms, and attend festivals. Some leave personal items at crossroads or wear red clothing to ward off misfortune during these years.
Why are certain numbers unlucky?
Some believe it is because number names sound like negative words. For example, 42 sounds like 'death' and 33 sounds like 'trouble,' though this origin is debated.
Good reading and sources
- Yakudoshi on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Yakudoshi", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-09.
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